Electrical Safety First responds to BBC Inside Out investigation on trade websites

Electrical Safety First responds to BBC Inside Out investigation on trade websites

Responding to a BBC investigation which uncovered that fraudulent tradespeople can advertise on trusted trade websites, Emma Drackford, Director of Communications at Electrical Safety First said:

“It’s shocking that someone is able to advertise services on trusted trade sites without providing any evidence of their experience or qualifications. Always do your homework before instructing anyone to carry out electrical work in your home. We strongly recommended using an electrician who is registered, as this means you will get additional protections should something go wrong. By using an unregistered electrician you are putting yourself and your family at serious risk of accident or injury.”

Where to find a registered electrician:

If you need electrical installation work done in your home, we recommend that you use a registered electrician. Click here to find a list of registered electricians in your area whether you live in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Questions to ask your electrician:

1. Are you a registered electrician?

Choosing a registered electrician means you will get additional protections should something go wrong. Contact the scheme they are a member of directly if you want to check the individual’s registration.

2. Do you have any references from previous customers?

If you are uncertain about an individual, ask them to provide references of previous happy customers. Ask these referees to explain the work they had done and how satisfied they were with the job done.

3. Who else will be working in my home?

When you employ a builder or a kitchen fitter to do some work in your home, they will often need to bring in an electrician for certain work. But do you know if the electrician they have hired is up to the job? It’s easy to assume the tradesman in charge will check qualifications and registration. But don’t leave it to chance – ask to see proof of everyone’s ability yourself.

4. I’d like to get a second opinion – can I get back to you?

Don’t feel pressured to make a decision quickly. If an electrician makes you feel uncomfortable for any reason, then seek advice before you contract them to do work for you. Also, get a few quotes so that you can compare options. The cheapest quote may not be the best deal – if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!